Arpa Film Festival 2015 interviews with film directors
On the set of The Sandwich Island Man, working each day with children was truly inspirational for director, Levon Minasian. A successful writer, director, producer, and cinematographer, Minasian is known for his acclaimed short films. So far, The Sandwich Island Man has received numerous festival awards, mentions, and selections. This year, the film was a Festival de Cannes’ Short Film Corner Coups de Cœur.
On Sunday, November 15, Minasian’s film will be the final screening at the 18th Annual Arpa International Film Festival. Moreover the short will be viewed by a host of who’s who, since his film kicks off the prestigious Arpa Film Festival Awards Ceremony.
The Sandwich Island Man is told through a quiet and reserved kid, Lionel, who is known as “Lio” to his friends. When his teacher assigns a geography project to research their parents’ birthplace, Lio decides to talk about his dad. The only problem is that he has never known his father. When he discovers that his dad was born on the amusingly named, Sandwich Island, a lost isle in the Southern Ocean that happens to be uninhabited, the boy is stunned. Determined to find his father, Lio sets out on the long and perilous journey to Sandwich Island.
Below are Levon Minasian’s responses to an interview with Sharon Swainson, Arpa International Film Festival writer.
Why did you choose to make your film?
I have always wanted to make a film with children, from a child’s point of view and perspective. The story of a boy who searches for the father he has never known seemed powerful enough to make into a movie.
Name a moment during shooting that made you proud.
Working with children in film is very difficult, but rewarding if you succeeded. I was fortunate to have had an exceptional cast. I am not only very proud of the extremely talented lead actors, Max Baissette de Malglaive and Lola Lasseron, but also of the children from a school in a small unknown village, who had never been on camera — they were simply perfect.
Was there a moment that became a creative breakthrough while making your film?
Working with children always inspires me. Restrictive, French child labor laws forced me to find creative solutions to achieve my artistic objectives.
Writer-director Lévon Minasian with lead actor Max Baissette de Malglaive
During the creative process, was there a moment when you let go of certainties and just ran with it, allowing creativity to do its thing?
Creative work is strange, unpredictable, and magical. Sometimes, things get out of control and then the results surpass all expectations. As in life, you have to look to the stars, to your guardian angel and never try to control everything — which is impossible.
Since an artist is truly never finished, is there anything that you would like to do differently or add to your film?
Unlike theater or other performance mediums, things can evolve over time. In film everything remains fixed once completed. This is truly a tragedy for perfectionistic filmmakers who see mistakes at each showing. Nevertheless, one must accept things and realize they will make fewer mistakes on the next film.
What does it mean to you to have your film selected by the Arpa International Film Festival?
I love Arpa International Film Festival with all my heart. I love the organizer, Sylvia Minassian who has managed this challenging work with inexhaustible energy for over 10 years. I am grateful that all of my films have been a part of the festivals over the years. I have never been able to attend in person, but I hope to personally show my film to the faithful festival public.
Written by Sharon Swainson
Communications & Content Development
2015 Arpa International Film Festival